Acute Scrotum Flashcards
when is torsion of spermatic cord most common
at puberty due to enlragment of the testes
cause of torsion of spermatic cord
usually spontaneous, can occur with trauma or athletic activity
clinical presentation of torsion of spermatic cord
- sudden onset pain and swelling, hot
- pain in abdomen, nausea and vomiting are common
- there sometimes may have been previous episodes of self limiting pain
on examination of torsion of spermatic cord
- testis may lie high and transversely
- absence of cremasteric reflex
- hydrocele and oedema
cremasteric reflex
- the cremaster muscle is a spiral circular muscle that surrounds the spermatic cord
- when contracted it lifts and rotates the testes
- touching the inner thigh triggers contraction
investigation of torsion of spermatic cord
only performed if diagnosis is equivocal - surgery must be done in under 6 hours!
- doppler US will demonstrate lack of blood flow
- normal blood and urine results
when does irreversible ischemia begin in torsion of spermatic cord
- starts at 4 hours
- surgery within 6!!
management of torsion of spermatic cord
- 6 hours
- obtain consent for possible orchidectomy
- at surgery expose and untwist the testes
- if colour looks good, fix both testes to the scrotum
bell clapper deformity
- the tunica vaginalis joints high onto the spermatic cord
- prone to torsion
torsion of appendage
- this can present similarly to torsion of testis, or can be insidious
- if seen early there may be localisd tenderness at the upper pole and a blue dot sign
- testis should be mobile and the cremasteric reflex present
management of torsion of appendage
will resolve spontaneously without surgery
when does torsion of appendage usually occur
7-12 years
epididymo-orchitis
inflammation of the epidydmis ± testis
who does epididymo-orchitis tend to occur in
- younger patients due to STI eg chlamydia
- older catheterised patients
aetiology of epididymo-orchitis
- STI eg chlamydia
- catheter
- spread from UTI
how does one distinguish epididymo-orchitis from testicuar torsion
- the patients are older
- there may be UTI symtoms
- there is a more gradual onset of pain
- cremasteric reflex present
clinical features of epididymo-orchitis
- unilateral swelling and pain
- dysuria
- pyrexia/sweats
- may be pyruria
what is common in the history of epididymo-orchitis
- UTI
- urethritis (STI) - recent unprotected sex
- catheterization/instrumentation
important DD of epididymo-orchitis
testicular torsion – exclude urgently to prevent ischaemia of the testicle
important differentiating investigations/signs between torsion and epidydmo-orchitis
- Elevation of testes often relieves the pain – Prehn’s sign
- Cremasteric reflex
- US most important differentiating
investigationof epididymo-orchitis
- doppler will show swollen epididymis and increased blood flow
- raised inflammatory markers
further investigationof epididymo-orchitis
- send urine for culture
- self taken vaso-vaginal swab for chlamydia PCR
management of epididymo-orchitis
- analgesia and scrotal support
- bed rest
- drain any abscess
- ofloxacin 400mg/day for 14 days
who does idiopathic scrotal oedema occur in
children aged 2-10 usually
idiopathic scrotal oedema
- self-limiting oedema of the scrotum
- these is no fever, pain or tenderness
- may be itchy
- not usually erythematous
balanitis
acute inflammation of the foreskin and glans
who is balanitis more common in
diabetes - may be a presenting feature of T1DM